Braves Honor Bobby Cox

The Atlanta Braves honored the managerial career of Bobby Cox before the team's game Saturday afternoon at Turner Field in Atlanta. Cox is retiring at the end of the Braves' season, which could include the playoffs.

On a sun-splashed afternoon in front of the largest regular season crowd (54,296) in Atlanta, a pregame tribute included dozens of former Braves players, current players, team officials, friends and family on the field for the ceremony.

Speakers included team president John Schuerholz and veteran 3rd baseman Chipper Jones, before Cox took the podium at the end. (click above to listen to Schuerholz, Jones, and Cox from the ceremony)

Among the former players in attendance: pitchers Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Greg Maddux, first baseman Fred McGriff, outfielder David Justice, among dozens more.

Cox was showered with gifts during the ceremony, including a Mediterranean cruise from the players, and a luxury car and specially-commissioned potrait from the organization.

Bobby Cox has managed 29 years in the major leagues, including 25 in Atlanta. His 2,503 all-time victories rank him fourth on the all-time manager's list in baseball (behind active manager Tony LaRussa, and Hall of Famers John McGraw and Connie Mack).

Cox is tied for third with Al Lopez and Earl Weaver for the most consecutive winning seasons by a major league manager with 15. He's second, behind Joe Torre, in all-time postseason wins with 66.

Cox oversaw the Braves' great run of success from 1991-2005 with 14 consecutive division titles, 5 National League pennants, and a World Series championship in 1995.